Page 104 of A Violet Obsession

Lily’s brow smooths. “Yes.”

Motherfuckers. They turned her into a tool in the most violating way they could. They literally took over her mind.

Oblivious to my fury, Lorelei continues. This is all Tate and his cult care about. The amethyst.

“What’s the instruction, Lily?”

“I need to get the necklace out. I need to keep it safe.”

“Safe from what?”

Her certainty thins. “I don’t—” A pause. “I’m not sure. I just know it isn’t safe where it is. I have to get it out.”

“What do you do?”

“I go to the case. I have the code.” Her hands move, the motion of someone reaching, lifting. “It’s easy. I know exactly what to—” She stops.

Her hands open.

“It’s hot,” she whispers.

Lorelei waits, and Tate is practically vibrating with excitement next to me.

“The amethyst. When I pick it up, it’s—it’s hot, it’s burning, I can’t—” Her fingers splay like she’s dropped something. “I can’t hold it in my hand. I take it by the chain. It’s not hot.”

“What’s the next step, Lily?” Lorelei’s voice stays even.

“I have to get it to the front. That’s where they’ll be.”

“Where who will be?”

“The men. I have to get it to the men. At the front.”

“Do you know who they are?”

“No.” It doesn’t seem to trouble her.

“You walk toward the front…”

Her breathing changes. It’s ragged and shallow in her chest, and her face twists with fear. “Something’s loud. And⁠—”

“Lily, you’re safe. What do you hear?”

“Gunshots.”

My stomach twists.

“Oh my god. They have guns. They’re shooting!” Her voice has lost the calm from before, panic ringing in every word. “There’s so much blood. Not again. But I have to—I have to get away—I have to keep it safe.”

The tortured sounds coming from Lily break my heart, and I’m on my feet again, but Lorelei is already talking.

“Lily,” Lorelei soothes. “You got out. It’s over. Take a deep breath.” She walks her through a few more deep breaths.

My whole body is thrumming with anger and frustration. I know the events that she’s describing are over, but I want to be there for her. To protect her.

“I want to take you forward a few minutes—the men can’t get you. What are you doing?”

“I still have it.” Confusion creeps into the trance-like voice. “I still have the necklace. I couldn’t get it to them. There was—” Her eyebrows dive. “There was too much blood. The men weren’t—” A pause, and calm slides over her expression. “I have to make sure the necklace is safe. It’s not safe here. It has to go.”